Summer Sips For Bold Palates

Hepple GnT – courtesy Mooreland Spirits

Some people have a year-round routine when it comes to their sipping preferences. No matter the weather - hot and sultry or bitter cold and blustery - they choose a side and stick to it. Red wine or bust. White wine with everything. Neat whiskey or nothing. I’m not like that. My liquor cabinet has to be rearranged in summer the same manner as my closet - lighter spirits in front, heavier ones in back, transitional ones stay in the middle. And just like my wardrobe, I like to add a few new items to freshen things up for a new season. Need some inspiration? This year’s look makes it easy for those still seeking full flavor without the weight.

Hepple High Fidelity Gin

As the cocktail and craft spirits movement continues to thrive, the gin category is expanding at a rapid rate. There’s an awful lot of it these days, but one of the reasons for that is because craft distilleries tend to release a perfunctory gin ahead of other spirits like bourbon or rum that require barrel maturation. A few distilleries set out with gin as their raison d’être, and that’s precisely what Mooreland Spirits Co. - a collaboration between entrepreneur Walter Riddell, chef/culinary authority Valentine Hunter, biochemist/distiller Cairbry Hill, master distiller Chris Garden and UK mixologist/consultant Nick Strangeway - have done with Hepple Gin, named for the estate in Northumberland where it’s made. In fact, they’re more dedicated to perfecting gin than most - using a meticulous "Triple Technique" process for producing different distillates that are blended together.

amongst the green juniper in the Moors, via Mooreland Spirits

Technique 1: Italian juniper, coriander, fresh lemon, blackcurrant leaf and fruit plus Douglas Fir and other botanicals are distilled in a copper pot with a one shot heart cut (a typical London Dry).

Technique 3: Balkan juniper undergoes what is called a Super Critical CO2 Extraction - a process more typically associated with perfume production - to capture the essences of the berry in its most intense form.

The result is a gin that one might say is very extroverted in its junipery-ness, but at a time when many gins are created to be the least ginny of gins, it’s refreshing to taste something that speaks juniper loud and proud (or as they like to think of it, “high fidelity”). The locally grown green juniper is a key component, taking into account that the more common black juniper is depleting rapidly in the UK. In fact, Hepple Whitefield farm is involved in a local juniper sustainability project, in collaboration with the Northumberland National Park and Newcastle University. “Juniper is like a f-ing panda,” says Strangeway. “It doesn’t want to breed.”

Hepple was created to be the ultimate Martini gin, although it’s fun to taste with a simple splash of soda water to get the full dashing-through-the-Moors-at-dawn flavor effect. It’s available on the east coast of the US for now, with plans for wider distribution down the pike.

Boukman Botanical Rhum

courtesy Boukman Rhum

Somewhere between a rhum agricole and a spiced rum, this light bodied, yet flavorful spirit finds a balance. Haitian rhum is slowly making its way stateside, and this one (along with Clairin) is at the forefront of that wave. (There are over 500 distilleries in Haiti, so there’s much to still reach our shores). Boukman is named for 18th century Haitian revolutionary leader Dutty Boukman, who is said to have sealed his dedication to fighting for liberty with a rhum toast. The spirit consists of rhum agricole (sourced from two distilleries using fresh juice from cane grown in distinct terroirs - Croix des Bouquets in the south and Cap Hatïen in the north) infused with a blend of native barks (bois bandé, zou’devant, campèche, bois cochon and oak), bitter orange peel, allspice, clove, bitter almond, vanilla and other essences.

It’s really more like a rum gin than a spiced rum in the traditional sense - the spiciness leans refreshingly more toward the savory bent. So much so that while it is delicious as a base for traditional rum cocktails such as Daiquiris and all manner of punches and swizzles, I’ve enjoyed with a simple mix of tonic and squeeze of lime. I’ve also discovered the botanicals match nicely with bitter aperitivos for a drink I’ve named Summer Juju (named for the Siouxsie and the Banshees album featuring the track “Voodoo Dolly” as well as the single “Spellbound” - one of the only songs you could ever get me to sing for karaoke, but don’t hold me to it).

At the bottom of a shaker, muddle the berries with the rhum, syrup and juice. Add the bitter and ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a tall or highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda. Garnish with seasonal fruit of choice.

Quick Sips: More Rum and Tequila

Cruzan Single Barrel: A good sipping rum served with a big cube or as the base for an Old Fashioned is a favorite dessert indulgence in the warmer months. Rums aged between 5 - 12 years were blended together for an additional rest in American oak, and the result is this affordable (around $35) butterscotchy-tasting spirit. In addition, they are donating $1 for every case sold to the Island Spirits Fund hurricane relief effort.

Revel Avila: The spirit recently won gold in the 2018 NY International Spirits Competition, and I was curious about what impressed the judges, but also what exactly it is. It’s a distillate made from Blue Weber, the same species of agave used for tequila. However, it’s not technically a tequila because it’s produced in Morelos, outside the tequila zone, and some of the piñas used in it are steamed, but some have been roasted - making it more of a tequila/mezcal hybrid. Those who are put off by the more vegetal notes of some agave spirits might find Avila more to their liking since the roasted component pulls other complexities of fruit into the front palate. As a Margarita or Paloma base they’re an obvious choice, but I like the idea of mixing it with a summery liqueur, like Giffard Rhubarb, or even a good limoncello (such as Fiorito). Available in blanco, reposado and añejo.

G4 Tequila - blanco, reposado, añejo, extra añejo: I expect anything produced by members of the Camarena family to be superb, and this line of tequilas, produced at Felipe Camarena’s El Pandillo Distillery (recently overhauled to reduce waste and harvest rainwater) is no exception. This outstanding range is sippable and satisfying at every maturation level. I was particularly impressed with the Extra Añejo, which is a category I typically don’t like because the extra aging tends to overwhelm the essence of the agave flavors. Here the spirit is rescued just at the right stage (about 3 years), so the layers of ripened fruit still come through and match the rich and sweet influences of the barrel maturation. Add a directionally frozen cube and suddenly all the heat and humidity matter nada!

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Abigail Gullo

Abigail Deirdre Gullo first fell into bartending when she learned to make a Manhattan (sweet) for her beloved grandfather at the age of 7. Abigail is a member of the United States Bartenders Guild and a proud supporter of the Museum of the American Cocktail in New Orleans. When not behind the bar at SoBou, she is behind her computer screen blogging at www.ryegirlnyc.blogspot.com, or tweeting @nycbaby, though she would rather be singing in a Rock-n-Roll band.

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Adam Levy

Adam Levy is the "Alcohol Professor" and Founder of the International.
Beverage Competitions Group. He is a man in constant search of imbibing in good stuff and sharing his knowledge with those he knows. Born in New York with a lust for travel and to visit breweries, wineries and distilleries around the world. He loves his dog Garret Oliver and wears Red to proudly represent Rutgers Sports.

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Aliza Kellerman

Aliza Kellerman is a booze writer, local booze advocate, & social media/digital content enthusiast. She served as the Brand Ambassador for Adirondack Distilling Company before spearheading a digital content and social media initiative for the Royal Wine Corporation. She is interested in the story behind the bottle: she believes the more you know about what you drink, the better it tastes. Follow her on Twitter @aleezabeeza.

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Allan Roth

Allan Roth is an academic by training but a whiskey lover by the grace of God. Since 2012 Allan has worked at Char No. 4, a whiskey bar and restaurant inspired by a passion for bourbon where he manages the beverage program, teaches whiskey classes and curates a selection of over 150 American whiskeys and dozens of others from across the globe. He is also an instructor at The Astor Center and Murrayâ€™s Cheese. Allan lives in Brooklyn, New York and maintains a small piece of the internet at allanrothwhiskey.com. Follow him on Twitter @allanroth.

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Alwynne Gwilt

Alwynne Gwilt is a Canadian with a Welsh name who lives in England and finds herself frequently jaunting to Scotland and Ireland to learn and write about whisky. She escaped the world of financial journalism after falling head over heels in love with whisky and started her site, Miss Whisky (www.misswhisky.com) in 2011. She has written for dozens of titles on whisky, food, drink and travel and is always on the hunt for a new stand-out dram. Follow her @themisswhisky.

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Amanda Schuster

Amanda Schuster is the Senior Editor in Chief of Alcohol Professor and the author of NEW YORK COCKTAILs available from Cider Mill Press. Certified sommelier, former retail spirits and wine buyer - she likes to think of herself as "bi-spiritual." Please don't ever offer her a Pickleback. Complete bio here.

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Amy Miller

Amy Miller is a freelance wine, food and travel writer based in New York City. She recently attained the WSET Diploma and writes about dessert and fortified wines on her blog ladolcevino.com. Follow her on twitter @la_dolce_vino.

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Andrew McFetridge

Andrew McFetridge is a New York-based, self described wine nerd and Certified Sommelier that studied under Laura Fiorvanti, MS. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from The University of North Florida. He's a fan of travel, obscure wines and lots o’ cheese. On Instagram: @andrewmcf.

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Angelo Veneziano

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Anne Becerra

Anne Becerra is a Certified Cicerone at The Ginger Man in New York City and has a strong passion for craft beer and the community that surrounds it. This year, Anne's very excited to represent the beer industry at a seminar for Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans about furthering education in the spirits industry. She teaches classes, judges beer competitions, and has been featured in several local and national media outlets including NBC, Fox and Friends, and TIME Magazine and is a recurring contributor to the popular "Ask a Cicerone" column on Serious Eats. She loves spreading the word about great craft beer almost as much as she loves drinking it.

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Ashlie Head

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Becca Yeamans-Irwin

Becca Yeamans has a Bachelor's of Science in Biology from Saint Michael's College in Colchester, VT, and a Masters of Science in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. She has extensive research experience as well as experience working in the wine industry. She is a freelance writer with a focus on wine science and research, and is the author/creator of the technical wine blog, The Academic Wino (www.academicwino.com). You may also follower her on twitter @TheAcademicWino.

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Ben Heskett

Ben is a technology marketing executive, award-winning former journalist, lifelong music fan, and wine adventurer, always willing to try something new. Inspired by the wine industry around him in California, he started www.CORKZILLA.com, a wine and music blog, in 2010. His Twitter handle is @corkzillasf.

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Bernard Kenner

Bernard Kenner is a freelance wine educator and writer. His interests are eclectic, becoming adept in wines from all over the globe, including Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Chile, Argentina, Soviet Georgia, Mexico, Canada, Croatia, Lebanon, Israel, France, Germany, as well as many of the wine growing regions within the United States. When he finds something interesting to share with the world, his occasional writings can be found on isantemagazine.com, quiniwine.com and other outlets.
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Bill McMahon

Bill McMahon is a freelance writer, copywriter and content producer. He is the author of several published secondary level textbooks and teaching guides, as well as email copy, promotional materials, online content, blogs, and business communications. He is also a published and produced playwright, as well as a screenwriter. His sitcom pilot is in development with Kierstead Productions, and you can find more of his writing on his website www.storytellingcontent.com.

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Bozkurt Karasu

Bozkurt "Bozzy" Karasu (@bozkurtkarasu) moved to NYC in 2003 to join The Wooster Group as their Production Manager after working as a freelance performing arts production manager and designer in Istanbul, Turkey for 13 years. In 2012 he moved to Cambridge, MA this time to join Theater Arts at Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Technical Instructor. He regularly tastes whisk(e)y and blogs about it at tire-bouchon.

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Brian Petro

Brian Petro, a native of the great state of Ohio, found himself in the town of Dayton after graduating from the Cleveland Institute of Art. His path has wound through the design, education, and restaurant industries, all of them adding a little something to the overall flavor of his creative endeavors. The first time he stepped behind a bar, it felt like home. Ever since, he has absorbed all of the liquor knowledge he can find, from culture to history to recipes, and done his best to share what he knows with the world. Or, at least the readers of Dayton Most Metro, where he is the writer about all things cocktail. He also likes the word 'Brilliant'.

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Chris Wertz

Chris Wertz is a veteran of the beverage business for more than 20 years. He is author of Brooklyn Spirits: Craft Distilling and Cocktails from the World's Hippest Borough, and co-founder of the amaro consulting company bitter.wine.

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Christine Campbell

An avid traveler and lover of all things wine, Christine holds her WSET Advanced Level 3 certificate with Distinction. Driven by her passion, she started and completed her French Wine Scholar (FWS) course graduating with Highest Honors and is continuing with the inaugural Master of Champagne course through the French Wine Society. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Christine sits on the B.C. VQA wine assessment panel and is a wine educator. Every #WineWednesday, Christine writes on her blog girlsgogrape.com. Follow her on twitter @girlsgogrape.

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Cognac Expert

cognac-expert.com is the leading online platform for all things related to Cognac. Founded a decade ago by brother-sister team, Max and Sophie, their love of this iconic French drink was literally written into their genes, thanks to the family estate in the Cognac region with over three generations of family history.
Today the website has a global readership numbering into the hundreds of thousands, and is a place where Cognac lovers can discover more about their passion, communicate with others of a similar interest, and purchase Cognac from the heart of the region to be delivered anywhere around the world.
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Colleen Newvine

Colleen Newvine is a Brooklyn-based freelance journalist and marketing consultant with a passion for great cocktails and farmers' market produce. She blogs about living life intentionally (https://newvinegrowing.wordpress.com) and helps her artist husband, John Tebeau, explore bars for his Great Good Places series. Follow her on Twitter @cnewvine.

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Courtney Schiessl

Courtney Schiessl is a Brooklyn-based wine journalist, educator, and consultant who has held sommelier positions at some of New York’s top restaurants, including Marta, Dirty French, and Terroir. Courtney has written for Forbes.com, SevenFifty Daily, SOMM Journal, Tasting Panel Magazine, and VinePair, among other publications, and she is currently pursuing the WSET Diploma in Wines. Follow her Champagne-fueled adventures on Instagram at @takeittocourt.

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Danielle Macdonald

Danielle loves sipping on the perfect beverage whilst exploring and reviewing both its characteristics as well as its image. With numerous articles covering various product genres, her love of journalism and branding has transformed into her profession. With a degree in creative writing, a course at The London School of Journalism, and a desire to lose herself in words and dare one say it- alcohol, Danielle is one happy, creative and beverage passionate woman.
Find her on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-macdonald-94991ba4/

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Demian and LeNell Camacho Santa Ana

Husband and wife team Demian and LeNell Camacho Santa Ana have over 30 combined years in the beverage industry. Together, they opened and managed Casa Coctel, a reservation only bar, in Baja California Sur, Mexico before landing in Birmingham, Alabama. They are currently working on a children's book Mommy & Daddy are Bartenders in honor of their daughter Damiana.

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Devon Trevathan

Devon Is a writer and producer based in Nashville, TN. She loves to travel, drink, take pictures of cocktails and inhale food. You can follow her @devontrevathan on Instagram and Twitter.

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Dorothy Hernandez

Chicago native Dorothy Hernandez is an editor and writer who is eating and drinking her way through her adopted home of Detroit. She has written for numerous online and print publications, including the Chicago Tribune's RedEye edition, The Detroit News and patch.com. Her love of exploring the best food and drink a city has to offer led her to co-found Epic Brew Tours, which specializes in craft brewery tours in Michigan.
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Dy Godsey

Dy Godsey is a published mixologist, consultant and bartender currently working in Wisconsin. More Low-ABV cocktails can be found on her website, www.funbehindbars.blogspot.com

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Emma Criswell

Emma Criswell is head of the "Grain Team" at Deussen Global Communications, a sales associate at Frankly Wines and a freelance marketing consultant for wine, spirits and culinary brands. A certified sommelier, she loves funky wines, loose leaf tea and running half marathons. She doesn't love bell peppers, or red onions. Follow her on instagram @emmacriswell.

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Eric Zillier

For 15 years Eric Zillier has worked as a sommelier or wine director at some of New York's finest restaurants including Veritas, Alto and Gotham Bar and Grill. He is currently working on a book about his experiences in the wine business.

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Francine Cohen

Francine Cohen is Editor in Chief of www.insidefandb.com, a regular contributor to Beverage Industry News and www.hotelinteractive.com and a hospitality and spirits industry consultant. She splits her time between developing successful brand marketing strategies and writing about the business of the f&b and hotel industries. Based in NYC, but happy to continue to travel the world, she has an appetite for great food and drink. Especially cheese. And snails.

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Jens Kerger

Jens is a freelance bartender in Dresden, Germany who decided he'd rather be a good host, than a mechanical engineer. As of the moment he mainly does guest shifts, spreading the knowledge he acquires and learning with each new bar he gets to "blow up," while seeking a position outside of the country. He also a brand ambassador for Absyntheum Absinthe in Germany.

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George Koutsakis

As a half Greek Scotsman, who previously lived and worked in Japanese whisky industry for years, George Koutsakis is a spirits writer specializing in Japanese whisky, world whisky, and spirits. Aside from Alcohol Professor, he currently writes for Liquor.com, Saveur Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Distiller.com, and acts as head of content for Dekanta.

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Haley Forest

Having worked in the Hospitality sector for nearly 15 years, Haley Forest has experienced first hand the blood, sweat, tears, and manic joy that comes with it. After being involved in almost every aspect of the industry, from chef to bartender, vendor to general manager, she now is a writer and consultant, traveling around the world exploring bar communities and helping the industry progress as a whole. Follow the adventure at @HCForest.

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Hannah Walhout

Hannah Walhout is a writer, editor, and eater in New York City. When she isn't busy writing, she enjoys cooking, eating shawarma, traveling, and wondering whether or not the obscure beverages she buys during her travels will be confiscated at the border. Follow her on Instagram at @lunchtime_somewhere.

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Jackie Armstrong

Jackie is a freelance writer and blogger. She is the founder of One Girl's Dish, a blog dedicated to food and drink events in New York.

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Jackie Summers

Jackie Summers is the founder of Jack From Brooklyn, and the creator of Sorel Liqueur. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @TheLiquortarian.

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Jake Emen

Jake Emen is a spirits, food and travel writer currently based in Washington, D.C. His drinks coverage has been published in Whisky Advocate, Eater Drinks, Tales of the Cocktail, Washington Post Express, Distiller, The Whiskey Wash, Tasting Table, and a range of other outlets. He also runs his own site, ManTalkFood.com, and can be followed on Twitter, @ManTalkFood.

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John Pomeroy

John Pomeroy is the epitome of balance â€“ in life and in his cocktails. Bitten by the hospitality bug in high school and continuing through college, he used his skills to move ahead when others may have thrown in the towel â€“ literally. John went from dish washer, to busser, to waiter before finding his stride at the bar. He worked as a bartender through college at the award-winning Montrio in Monterey, CA. It wasnâ€™t long, though, before he was recruited to open the Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley. Here he had the opportunity to work with and learn from world-renowned chef Cal Stamenov, and sommelier Mark Jensen, formerly of the Highlands Inn. He then went on to graduate school at the University of California at Santa Cruz, where he earned his Masters in Education, as well as the credentials he needed to be an English teacher.
His passion, interest, and curious nature about food and spirits remained powerful influences. While developing his knack for identfying flavors on the plate he excelled when it came to working with spirits from distillation to the creation of cocktails. Today, he is able to blend his educational training and passion by working as a spirits advocate and educator, consultant, brand ambassador and journalist.
His work has been featured in several magazines, and he recently wrote the cover story for Bar Business. With his active participation in the United States Bartenders Guild, New York Chapter (USBGNY) he has spent the past four years developing and solidifying relationships in the industry, affording him the opportunity to work with many of the most respected names in the business.
In addition to working closely on many of New York City's best cocktail programs, he has also consulted Las Ranitas, an eco-resort in Tulum, Mexico, as well as several other venues around the United States. Additionally, his work with Purity Vodka as their national brand ambassador has garnered him even more respect and credibility within the industry, and he regularly contributes to seminars and trainings sessions at cocktail events the world over.

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Josh Powell

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Josh Feldman and Peter Silver

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Karan Nagpal

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Kaya Johnson

Kaya Johnson is a professional interpreter from Yorkshire, UK, who is fond of writing and traveling. She enjoys sharing articles on various topics and dreams of writing a bestseller one day. She hosts this website.

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Kelly Magyarics

Kelly Magyarics, DWS, is a wine, spirits and lifestyle writer, and wine educator, in the Washington, D.C. area. She can be reached through her website www.kellymagyarics.com or follow her @kmagyiarics.

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Kenneth Haynes

Kenneth Haynes is a Molecular Gastronomist and also a Content Creator who loves to approach the matter of social, artistic and technical aspects of food and drinks. You can read more of his articles on TodayTopReviews.com, a review site that focuses on three niches: wine, beer and cheese.

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Kevin Gibson

Kevin Gibson is a Louisville, Ky.-based free-lance writer who writes about everything from food to music to beer to bourbon to professional football. He loves bacon, loathes cucumbers and once interviewed Yoko Ono (pissed her off a little, too). He is author of "Louisville Beer: Derby City History on Draft" (2014, History Press). He published his first novel, "The Liberation of Crystal Hill" (Bearhead Publishing), in 2011; he also published "Crohn's Disease: A Memoir from the Toilet" in January 2015 and his currently working on two more book projects. He co-hosts a weekly local radio show, and also plays in a couple of bands, the Uncommon Houseflies and the Nick Peay Band. Not surprisingly, he doesn't sleep much. But when he isn't running around town chasing stories or poised at his trusty laptop writing, you can often find him at one of the local breweries and being thankful for the life he lives. That, or he'll be sitting on his couch with his trusty sidekick Darby. Check out his beer blog, 502Brews.com, or his website, KevinGibsonWriter.com, to find out more about his books and why he does what he does. Or feel free to call him names on Twitter: @kgramone.

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Laren Spirer

New York Contributing Editor Laren Spirer is yet another lawyer (and freelance writer) obsessed with food and drink, who also blogs at Sweet Blog oâ€™ Mine and tweets at @sweetblogomine. She has written for Gothamist, Serious Eats, Time Out New York and Tasting Table.

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LeNell Camacho Santa Ana

LeNell Camacho Santa Ana once boasted the world's largest American whiskey selection in a retail store in her eponymous Brooklyn shop. She plans to get her brag on again--this time back home in Bama.

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Lincoln Chinnery

Lincoln C. Chinnery III is a freelance cocktail journalist who has written for Edge Publications, AM New York, Metromix and VODA. Lincoln enjoys all the major spirits - Bourbon, Whiskey, Rye and is never too far from his next drink. He's a reader of all thngs related to cocktails and comic books.You can read his bar and liquor reviews at have http://haveglasswilldrink.blogspot.com/ and reach out to him on Twitter @Lincolnwrites.

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Madeline Blasberg

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Maggie Kimberl

Maggie Kimberl is a bourbon writer focusing on bourbon culture and tourism in Louisville and Kentucky. When she's not covering the bourbon beat you can find her browsing through vintage vinyl with her kids or tending to her homegrown tomatoes. Follow her on Twitter,Instagram and check out her blog.

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Manny Gonzales

Manny Gonzales is General Manager and Beverage Director at Foundry on Elm and Saloon in Davis Square, Somerville Massachusetts where he has created one of the most compressive whisk(e)y menus in the North East. When he is not hiking with his family or planning spirit classes at his restaurants he can be found by his fireplace sipping drams of Scotch or Mezcal finding inspiration for his blog Life by the Drop http://blog.saloondavis.com.

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Mark Marnell

Mark Marnell, is a semi-retired Chemist who left the corporate life for a far more rewarding endeavor, Beer Journalism. As a Freelance Writer, Hudson Valley NY Craft Beer Columnist and Beer Blogger, he is discovering the rest of his life, one sip at a time. When not writing about beer or drinking it, he is selling his first ever Craft Beer Crossword Puzzle Book. His motto is Cheers, Beers and New Frontiers! Catch him on Twitter at @MarnellBeer or on his website at www.marnellbeer.com.

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Marnie Ann Joyce

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Mary Charlotte Elia

Mary Charlotte Elia works at The Birch Bar, (http://www.thebirchbar.com/), in Norfolk, VA when she's not otherwise writing curriculum for Sunday school, singing recitals of 19th century German art songs, or presenting papers on 3rd century heretics. She blogs at Water Into Beer and tweets at @CharlotteElia.

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Marysa Mitch

Marysa Mitch is a freelance writer focusing on spirits, beer, and wine. She shares her love for all things food and drink related on her blog, limerence + liquor. You can also follow her on Twitter at @msmarysa.

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Matt Archambault

Matt Archambault is a beer enthusiast based in NYC. With over 15 years of experience behind a bar, Matt is the Amazon.com of beer - if you like this, you may also like... Join him in his own personal journey of exploration and discovery on Untappd (https://untappd.com/user/mattarchambault). In his spare time, Matt has driven a mini-van off a cliff, endured water-boarding, and once appeared on Good Morning America as part of an elaborate prank. Follow him @supercasz.

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Matthew Callahan

Matthew Callahan is a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he earned a B.F.A. in Theatre and had a wonderful eight-year career as a stage and film actor. Eventually, his passion for writing, technology, and web design got the better of him and he dove head-first into a career in geek services. In 2011 Matthew founded Digitalimit, a design and marketing agency specializing in helping entrepreneurs and small businesses find their voice online. From time to time, he also enjoys freelance writing -- especially on the topic of good drinks. Matthew lives in New York City with his wife, and their two wonderful MacBooks. Follow him on Twitter @_thinkertinker.

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Meg Roebling

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Mike Groener

Trying to intersect culinary innovation with the art of distillation. Let's disambiguate the industry of alcohol and share the research. Program manager, distiller, and creator.
Follow Genius Gin @geniusliquids.

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Neal Bayless

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Nicole del Rosario

Nicole del Rosario is a beer and spirits enthusiast based in Leipzig, Germany. Training to be an actual professor by day and an alcohol professor by night, she spends most of her mornings pondering Kantian ethics at the university and her evenings drinking her way through Europe. Don't be shy and come say hi on Twitter: @happyhegelian.

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Nora McGunnigle

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Pamela Wiznitzer

Pamela Wiznitzer has a true passion and zest for the industry that is seen and tasted in every drink she serves. Since 2006, Pamela has been working throughout NYC and currently can be found shaking things up at The Dead Rabbit in the Financial District. She has earned honors from her industry peers such as winning Tyku's 2011 Sake challenge, selected as one of the 20 Diageo World Class 2012 Contestants, a finalist in Pama's 2011 Beyond the Glass.

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Pameladevi Govinda

Pameladevi Govinda lives in Brooklyn. She has worked at a number of wine shops in New York City. She is also wine, spirits, food and travel writer with a taste for Muscadet, and a penchant for curry. Her work has appeared in Imbibe, Vibe, CITY, IN New York, Serious Eats, Brooklyn Based, Diner Journal and more. Her previously published work and blog can be viewed at www.gajakattack.com. Follow her on Twitter @PamGovinda.

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Patrick Reed

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul Senft

Paul Senft is a Spirits Writer and Reviewer based in Metro Atlanta. His work has appeared in Got Rum? Magazine, Chilled, Distiller, as well as other publications covering a range of subjects related to Spirits, Travel, and the fun world of Tiki. He founded www.RumJourney.com and can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/paul.e.senft.

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Phil Galewitz

Phil Galewitz has been writing about the the craft brewing industry in the Mid-Atlantic states since 2011. He lives in Washington D.C. and South Florida. Twitter: @philgalewitz Instagram: Philmorebeer. He visits over 300 breweries a year across the United States.

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Philip Kampe

Philip S. Kampe is a veteran wine journalist who contributes to several print and online publications, moderates wine events nationwide and judges competitions. He is a member of the distinguished Wine Media Guild and resides in the both the New York metro area and the Berkshires of Massachusetts.

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Robin Goldsmith

A British freelance food and drink writer who has a WSET Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits and is a member of CAMRA (The UK Campaign for Real Ale).
Robin reviews food and drink products for individual companies and he regularly writes reports on trade events, such as wine tastings or food and drink shows.
Additionally, he has written detailed commercial reports for trade publications and many of his articles have been published on respected industry websites, such as the drinks business, Speciality Food Magazine and hostelbookers.
Web : www.thewritetaste.co.uk
Twitter : @robthefoodie
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/TheWriteTaste

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Robin Robinson

Robin Robinson is a consultant to the craft spirits industry, where he helps small brands identify their unique narratives to penetrate and activate the marketplace and implement sales and marketing strategies. Prior to that, Robin was instrumental in helping to build the Compass Box Whisky Co. in the United States as its U.S. Brand Ambassador and Brand Manager over 34 markets, where he was responsible for distributor management, sales, retail and consumer education. He is the creator of the long running "Whiskey Smackdown" educational series at Astor Center NYC. More information at his website www.robinrobinsonllc.com

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Ryan Stevens

From his first sip of wine to the last Scotch tasting, Ryan has loved the craft and the journey behind the bottle. Detailing the experience that goes into each libation and telling the stories that go into every glass, fuels a passion quenched only by words. As a Contributor for The Oregon Wine Press, Busted Wallet, and Ask Men, he has found his niche showcasing the nuances behind the vices that make life a celebration. Living in Oregon provides a rich canvas filled with vibrant flavor profiles and vivid fermented nuances that, with his family by his side, Ryan paints a picture of the delicious possibilities. Follow him on Instagram @BlankGlass

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Sara Gorelick

Sara Gorelick spends her time in the world of spirits, working as an Account Director at Colangelo & Partners by day and a freelance writer by night. Her work has been included on ShakeStir.com, Examiner.com, BarNoneDrinks and other hospitality-related outlets. When Sara isn't working, reviewing or writing, she can be found laughing with family and friends or taking long walks with beagle Bailey. Follow her at @smgorelick.

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Sarah Annese

Sarah Annese is a freelance writer based in New York City with a focus on craft beer. She co-founded, edits and writes for www.beerunion.com, a website about beer news in NYC. Follow her on twitter @sarahbeerunion or @beerunion.

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Sara Havens

Sara Havens is a Louisville, Ky-based freelance writer and editor who pens the popular nightlife column The Bar Belle. On Twitter and Instagram: @TheBarBelle

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Sharyn Foulis

Sharyn Foulis is a wine educator and retail consultant working in Sydney, Australia. She gets out of bed every morning to find new ways of helping people find wines they will love.

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Thea Dwelle

Thea Dwelle is the creator and editor of Luscious Lushes, a wine, food, and travel blog. For more than 7 years, she has been writing about wine, travel and technology, focusing on the story behind the wine. When not pursuing vinous pleasure, she works in technology and is an amateur mixologist. Follow her on Twitter @Luscious_Lushes

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Thomas Riley

Tom Riley is a veteran journalist, writer, and editor who left a career in education in 2010, to study and write about wine. He holds an Advanced Certificate with merit from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust, London UK (WSET), and is currently pursuing their Diploma. In addition to The Alcohol Professor, he writes for the Bay Area News Group (San Jose Mercury, Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune), AmericanWineryGuide.com and Berkeleyside.com's online food and wine supplement, Nosh. You can follow him at his blog The Grape Belt or on Twitter @grapebelt.

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Tim Miner

Tim has been tending bar in New York City since 2003. Currently he can be found mixing drinks at The Long Island Bar in Brooklyn, New York and at The Eddy in Providence, Rhode Island. He is a cocktail bartender who loves creating new drinks. Some of his creations have been featured in such publications as: The New York Times, AM New York, The New York Post, The Spir.it, Refinery29, Becomingbklyn, and Shakestir! Tim has taught cocktail classes and consulted on cocktail programs, most recently designing the cocktail menu at French Louie in Brooklyn. He won The annual "Bring Your Bartender to the Opera Contest and was a U.S. Finalist in the 17th Annual Calvados Nouvelle Vogue International Competiton. When he's not behind the bar, you can find him on twitter @_tim_miner.

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Tracy Weiss

Tracy Weiss had her first glass of Manischewitz at age 11. She found it horrendous but knew someday (when she was of legal drinking age), sheâ€™d seek out better vino. At her alma mater Michigan State University, Tracy took advantage of half-off bottles on Wine Wednesdays. With clarity found from sampling different varieties, she began to mock girlfriends sipping Booneâ€™s Farm Strawberry Hill. An oenophile is born. This paired well with a violent cheese obsession and further motivated her to eat her way through life. Blending her passion for the finer things with a Midwestern upbringing, Tracy likes to pair fabulous wines with Dominos Pizza and crappy Chinese food.
In a flurry of Parisian triple crÃ¨mes, Napa cabs, and pinxtos in San Sebastian, a decade of toiling in television and talent management flew by.
Abandoning the entertainment business to write (and eat) full time, Tracy now focuses her culinary and wine interests closer to home splitting time between Manhattan and the North Fork of Long Island. She currently freelances for food, wine and lifestyle publications while working on her upcoming website www.northforkd.com and first book.
When not scribbling, Tracy enjoys oysters, all things pumpkin, cult television shows and bubbly from any region.

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Trevor Hagstrom

Trevor Hagstrom and Maggie Rosenberg (who snaps the photos for his stories) are food and beverage impresarios and content creators whose work and information on future projects can be found at www.tandmworks.com.

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Warren Bobrow

Warren Bobrow is the Food and Drink Editor of the 501c3 non profit Wild Table on Wild River Review located in Princeton, New Jersey. He is the cocktail writer for DrinkUpNY, Foodista, The "Fabulous" Beekman Boys and has written over 300 articles on food, wine and spirits. His first book, Apothecary Cocktails- will be released by Rockport/Quayside Publishing in November 2013. He was one of 12 journalists world-wide, and the only one from the USA to participate in the FÃªte de laGastronomie- the weekend of September 22nd. 2012 in Burgundy. He attends Tales of the Cocktail, WSWA, The Manhattan Cocktail Classic and the Boston Cocktail Summit.
Warren was born and raised on a Biodynamic farm in NJ. You can follow him on Twitter @WarrrenBobrow1.

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William Schragis

Will Schragis has been busy trading jobs in as a Retail Buyer, Sommelier, Bartender, and Bourbon Distiller. He graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a Liberal Arts degree in the wonderfully vague discipline of American Studies.

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Zachary Feldman

Bitters, Old Men founder Zachary Feldman's origins can be traced back to the Venezuelan soldier who first told Angostura founder Dr. Johann Gottlieb Benjamin Siegert, you should really bottle this, dude.

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Mike Gerrard

Mike Gerrard is an award-winning writer who specialises in travel writing and writing about spirits. He combines the two in his website, Travel Distilled. He lives half the year in Cambridgeshire in England and the other half in Arizona, and you'll find him on Twitter as @Mike_Gerrard, @TravelDistilled, and @The_Vodka_Guy.

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Elly Blanchard

Elly Blanchard is a freelance writer with a passion for traveling. When not exploring the world or hunting around for new cuisines to try - you will find her relaxing in the garden with her head in a good book.

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Nickolaus Hines

Nickolaus Hines is a food and beverage writer based in New York. His work has appeared in Atlas Obscura, Men's Journal, Supercall and more. He's always on the lookout for his next favorite drink and he will never hesitate to pet your dog. You can see what he's drinking now on his Instagram and Twitter, and see more of his work on his website.